# The Medical Training (Prioritisation for Specialty Training Programmes) Regulations 2026

S.I. 2026/1019 · made 10 September 2026

Section 3 of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 describes the categories of person who must be prioritised for access to UK specialty training programmes before other eligible applicants from 2027 onwards. It includes the power to make regulations to describe additional persons who must be prioritised for interviews and offers of places. Regulations 4 and 5 therefore describe those additional persons who must be prioritised for interviews and for places on a UK specialty training programme, by reference to their immigration status.

Made under: Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 (Section 3, Section 6, Section 7)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/medical-training-prioritisation-for-specialty-training-programmes-regulations-2026/pdf/uksi_20261019_en.pdf; UK Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/medical-training-prioritisation-for-specialty-training-programmes-regulations-2026/pdf/uksiem_20261019_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
Made 10th September 2026
Laid before Parliament 14th September 2026
Coming into force 1st January 2027
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3(1)(d), 3(2)(d), 3(3)(b), 6(1)(a), 7(1)(a) and 7(2) of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026.
In accordance with section 7(3) of that Act, the Secretary of State has obtained the consent of the Welsh Ministers, the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

## 1 Citation and Commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Medical Training (Prioritisation for Specialty Training Programmes) Regulations 2026.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 1st January 2027.

## 2 Extent

These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

## 3 Interpretation

In these Regulations “the Act” means the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026.

## 4 Description of Persons Prioritised for Interviews

For the purpose of section 3(1)(d) of the Act the description of persons who must be offered interviews for a place on a UK specialty training programme before any other eligible applicants is—
(a) a British citizen,
(b) a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971,
(c) an Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under that Act,
(d) a person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or
(e) a person who has leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which was granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules within the meaning given by section 17 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.

## 5 Description of Persons Prioritised for Offers of Places

For the purpose of section 3(2)(d) of the Act the description of persons who must be offered places on a UK specialty training programme before any other eligible applicants is—
(a) a British citizen,
(b) a Commonwealth citizen who has the right of abode in the United Kingdom under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971,
(c) an Irish citizen who does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom under that Act,
(d) a person with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or
(e) a person who has leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which was granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules within the meaning given by section 17 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.

## Signature

Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Karin Smyth
Minister of State
Department of Health and Social Care
10th September 2026

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
Section 3 of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 describes the categories of person who must be prioritised for access to UK specialty training programmes before other eligible applicants from 2027 onwards. It includes the power to make regulations to describe additional persons who must be prioritised for interviews and offers of places. Regulations 4 and 5 therefore describe those additional persons who must be prioritised for interviews and for places on a UK specialty training programme, by reference to their immigration status.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/1019 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/medical-training-prioritisation-for-specialty-training-programmes-regulations-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.